Note 2016:The MCIP site is no longer being updated and is maintained as an archive. For the latest on Vasalgel, please see Parsemus Foundation, and for updates on male contraception development and advocacy, please visit the dynamic new organization Male Contraception Initiative.

Vasalgel

Vasalgel™ is a polymer gel injected into the vas deferens, rather than cutting the vas (as is done in vasectomy). Its main advantage over vasectomy: It is hoped that it will be more readily reversible than vasectomy: if a man wishes to restore fertility, whether after months or years, the polymer would be flushed out of the vas with another injection. This method could thus be ideal for men who think they are finished having children but would like the chance to change their minds in case of remarriage or the death of a child—and it could possibly even be appropriate for men who want child-spacing or young men who want to complete their schooling before having children.

Vasalgel uses a similar technique as RISUG® (in advanced clinical trials in India). Development of this new polymer had to start from the beginning to produce a product at a large scale that could achieve regulatory approval. Preclinical studies include 12 months of successful results in rabbits with primate studies ongoing. The goal is to have it on the market as an alternative to vasectomy as soon as possible, with a first clinical trial beginning in 2015 or 2016 depending on regulatory approvals.

Vasalgel is being developed as a “social venture,” a company that makes enough money to stay afloat but not to make anybody rich, with affordable pricing and wide availability as its mandate. The foundation sponsoring it is moving fast on getting the first steps done, but won’t have enough money to finish the project and will be turning to the public to crowdfund the clinical trials. You can help!

To get updates on Vasalgel’s progress in the U.S. and any clinical trials, to be notified of opportunities to contribute, or to express interest in financially supporting or investing in the social venture, see ParsemusFoundation.org.

Want to let funders know that development of new methods for men is important to you and they should make it a priority? Complete our short, no-spam survey/petition.